This course is designed to encourage students to further develop their talents and abilities studied in Art I. Students will continue to build upon their skills, knowledge, and methods of drawing and painting applications to create two-dimensional artwork.

In this course, students will design, develop, and display 3-dimensional artwork using a variety of techniques and materials including cardboard, metal, wood and clay. Students will use their sketchbook for creative problem-solving and to help them think about how materials, processes, and ideas can be used to develop work that exists in a given space. Through individual and group projects, students will be challenged to think independently and collaborate with peers to create work that exhibits an understanding of the elements and principles of design.

This instructor-guided studio class is designed for advanced students who want to continue their study of a specific art discipline (2-D or 3-D). Students will refine techniques and continue in-depth exploration of a chosen medium to create 6-8 completed works by the end of the semester. This course is encouraged for students who plan to take Advanced Placement Art to develop their individual portfolio.

AP Art is intended for the serious art student planning to continue in the field of art. Emphasis is placed on portfolio development regarding breadth, depth and concentration of talents. Students will apply mastery of technique, craftsmanship and criticism skills in preparation of the portfolio to be submitted to colleges. Students will have the option to focus on either of the two different AP art portfolio types: Drawing or 2D Art and Design.

This course builds on the knowledge studied in Art I to create original glass designs. Students will learn the technical, manual, and aesthetics of glass and explore various historical and contemporary glass artists. Projects include leaded stained glass, and mosaic artworks.

This is a beginning ceramics-pottery class for individual students who are interested in acquiring knowledge and skills in clay. Students will be introduced to all basic aspects of sculptural and functional pottery by means of hand building and wheel throwing.

Madrigals is an audition-only, (mostly) acapella choir. Auditions are held in May for rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Students will learn to sing a wide variety of advanced multi-part repertoire, working cooperatively in a small ensemble setting. Madrigals act as an outreach group for the school, performing at a variety of venues to use the gifts of music to meet the needs of the community. The Madrigals will perform on a regular basis at school Masses, concerts, Choir Festival, and wherever else the school community calls us.

Students in the concert band will rehearse and perform music of various styles and difficulty levels. The daily objective of the course is to foster and promote musical growth through the playing of an instrument by the student. As a member of the concert band, each student should know that group effort and cooperation are necessary for a successful program. Each student is expected to show technical and musical growth throughout the course. This class will also provide performance opportunities for the student.

This course covers the progression of Western music from the Middle Ages though the present. It is a general introductory course designed to enhance musical understanding and appreciation with an emphasis on the elements of music, characteristics and styles, and the lives and works of key composers within a broader historical context. Students will interpret, explore, and listen to a variety of musical genres of vocal/instrumental solos, ensembles, and choral & orchestral works.

This course introduces students to the basics of music theory, integrating aspects of pitch, rhythm, melody, harmony, texture, form, and musical analysis. Musicianship skills to be covered include identification of notes, intervals, and chords; form and analysis; sight-singing and dictation; and beginning compositional techniques. To be successful in this class, students should have background musical experience in a performing ensemble or on a solo instrument.

Whether you want to be a star or just get more comfortable in front of people, Drama I teaches you the skills to perform confidently. You will learn to think fast, to physically commit to what you are saying, and say it like you mean it. We start with some fun games, some improvisation and finally some scene work. It’s so much fun, you don’t realize you are learning!

Drama II takes the skills learned in Drama I and applies them to creating characters in scenes from some of the great plays in theatre history. Students work closely with the instructor to develop characters and scenes that allow the actor to really “get into character.” Even if you aren’t interested in studying theatre in college, this class will aid you in developing your literary analysis skills and is tons of fun, too!